Joseph "Joey" P. Foss

Beloved brother Joseph Paul “Joey” or “Joe” Foss passed away Wednesday, April 17 following surgery and a long hospitalization in Milwaukee, WI. Born in Hastings, MN to Joe and Jane (Hanson) Foss, he moved to Waukesha, WI in 1959. Joey was a special child. While he walked at nine months and briefly spoke multiple words, he was found to have severe autism/cognitive disability at age four and communicated nonverbally most of his life.  

His favorite thing was eating any and all kinds of food and drink, especially sweets! (He was very quick and adept at finding these too!)  He also enjoyed lively music, dancing, humming, summer camp, and car rides. As a youngster he was a fast runner, giving his parents and older sisters some frantic pursuits!

After he was five, his family visited him regularly at Southern Wisconsin Center. He lived most of his adult life in a group home, where his best caregivers treated him like family. Joey also experienced a caring community and enjoyable activities at the Brookfield Adult Center daily.

He was preceded in death and will be buried with his parents, Joseph Robert Foss and Jane Louise (Foss) Kontowicz; and by a brother-in-law, Lee Cooper.  He is survived by three sisters—Margaret “Meg” Cooper of Madison, WI; Jennifer “Jenny” (Jim Poole) Foss of Suffolk, VA, and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Mike Campbell) Foss-Campbell of Waukesha; and one brother—John “Jack” (Carol) Foss. Joey was very endeared to those who knew him; his smiles, laughs, and hand kisses will always be treasured and missed.

A memorial service for Joey will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, W299N5595 Grace Drive, Hartland, followed by a light meal; visitation at the church will be at 2:00 PM. A private burial will be May 3 in Waukesha.

Memorials may be made in his name to ARCh—the Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps (https://www.archchangeslives.org). The family would like to especially thank Dr. Katie Iverson and all the 2NT and SICU staff at Froedtert Hospital; those at Joey’s group homes over the years for whom caregiving was a mission; and the staff at the Brookfield Adult Center and My Choice Wisconsin.  

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD 

A meeting was held quite far from earth.

"It's time again for another birth,"

Said the angels to the Lord above.

"This special child will need much love;

His progress may seem very slow;

Accomplishment he may not show;

And he'll require extra care

From the folks he meets down there. 

"He may not run or laugh or play;

His thoughts may seem quite far away;

In many ways he won't adapt;

And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent;

We want his life to be content.

Please, Lord, find the parents who

Will do a special job for You. 

"They will not realize right away

The leading part they're asked to play.

But with this child, sent from above,

Comes stronger faith and richer love;

And soon they'll know the privilege given

In caring for this gift from heaven:

Their precious charge, so meek and mild,

Is heaven's very special child."

FRANCISCAN PUBLISHERS, Pulaski, Wis.